The Cheetah

The Dexter Hysol Cheetah is a fully faired semi-recumbent two
wheeled Human Powered Vehicle (HPV). The Cheetah currently
holds the world speed record for the 200 meter flying start
event. This event allows a virtually unlimited run up to a
200 meter speed trap. Chris (The Punisher)
Huber rode the Cheetah to an an average speed of 68.73 mph
through the speed trap. The record was set at about 6:55 PM
mountain standard time on September 22, 1992. The course was
on Six Mile Lane which is a flat road
which crosses a Bison preserve in the San Luis
valley, Colorado. Of course, the Cheetah is named after
the fast cat of the same name.

The Cheetah is predominantly constructed of carbon fiber
composites with aluminum inserts bonded in with Hysol adhesives. Bicycle components donated by
Campagnolo included a tensioned Kevlar rear disk wheel and a
generous selection of alloy chainrings and freewheels. Most
other components were custom designed and
fabricated by the Cheetah Team. The
aerodynamic fairing which encloses the rider of the Cheetah is
also constructed of carbon fiber composite. Aerodynamic
design and advice was provided by Michael Selig (currently an
assitant professor of aeronautical engineering at the
University of Illinois at Urbana Champagne). The shape of the
Cheetah was designed by the Cheetah Team using a custom
written Macintosh program. The Cheetah weighs in at 29.5
pounds complete with fairing and ready to ride.

The International Human Powered Vehicle Association (IHPVA)
participated in and sanctioned the event. Two
IHPVA officials witnessed the event and the timing equipment
was provided by the IHPVA. For more information about IHPVA,
see their website (http://www.ihpva.org). The
format and rules for the 200 meter
flying start event were originally proposed by DuPont with a
$25,000 price to be awarded to the first HPV to exceed 65 mph.
This was accomplished and the prize awarded to the Gold Rush,
ridden by Freddie Markham, in 1986 with an average speed of
65.48 mph. The current record of 68.73 mph set by The Cheetah
team September 22, 1992 still stands.

These Cheetah pages are mainted by co-designer and builder of The Cheetah,
James R. Osborn.